For the first time since 2017, and just the eighth time in history, Great Britain & Ireland has won the Llandudno International Trophy following a 16.5-9.5 victory over the United States in the 32nd PGA Cup at The K Club in Ireland.
GB&I entered Sunday’s singles matches with an 11.5-4.5 lead, needing just two points to win. While the result seemed inevitable, the Americans did not go down without a fight, splitting the singles session at 5-5.
GB&I Captain David Scott had his side braced for an away fightback but it never materialised as the hosts saw the job through comfortably.
“I am absolutely amazed by the quality of the team I have had this week,” said Scott. “The strength and depth. Even though on paper we weren’t as strong, the heart in the team is tremendous. I am delighted for them.”
“They fought really hard,” said US Captain Ben Polland. “Clearly not the way we wanted to finish up. They still played well, a lot of good there in splitting today’s session. It was better than what we’ve done the last two days, but we were just outplayed by GB&I. In these formats, at the end of the day, those that make putts end up on top, and that’s what they were doing.”
Toby Hunt’s three foot par putt on the 15th to go 3up with three to play clinched the crucial half point for the required 13.5 to end nine years of hurt and claim a second PGA Cup at the K Club.
“The putt I holed on 15 was a massive relief,” said the Welshman. “It was a good up and down from the back edge. David told me that I had secured it so that made the drive down 16 a bit easier! It feels great after getting stuffed two years ago it’s a great feeling to beat them in the same sort of fashion.”
The icing on the cake came through Ben Amor, whose half point with Ryan Lenahan was enough to see GB&I reach the magic 16.5 and cap off a sensational week.
David Scott said he took inspiration from the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team which ended 11 years of hurt in Lahinch last month.
“‘Staying where your feet are’ is a great expression I got from Dean Robertson,” Scott said. “Don’t look behind or ahead, just stay where you are. We could have easily taken the eye off the ball. I gave them a challenge to win every singles match. If you focus purely on your own match then you should get the result. If there’s apathy before you know it the Americans have you by the throat. It was about staying with the process, believing in yourself. I’m so thrilled for all of these guys.”
The standout player of the week was Scotland’s Graeme Robertson who rolled back the years to his Home Internationals days with five wins from five matches courtesy of a 3&1 triumph over Brian Bergstol.
“Happy with that, played for Scotland in the Home Internationals years ago and managed to get six out of six!” smiled Robertson. “It was in my head to get full points again, I knew I was playing well.”
Zach Haynes drew first blood in the singles with an accomplished 2&1 victory over Ash Mansell but GB&I had no reason to worry as the formality of their win was sealed not long after.
Simon Thornton earned a half point before Robertson’s clean sweep. Jesse Droemer put another red point on the board but at that stage it was a case of who was going to get the half point needed for GB&I.
It came down to Hunt and Matt Ford. Both players needed halved holes on 15 and 16 respectively. It was Welshman Hunt who got the job done a few minutes earlier as he sealed a 3&2 win over Brandon Bingaman. Ford saw off Garrett Sapp 2&1.
Amazingly, GB&I finished the week unbeaten across the five sessions with Ben Kern and Tyler Collett tagging on wins towards the bottom of the draw.
Harry Casey, who had been too unwell to participate on Friday, clinched his first full point in the anchor match winning 4&3 over Austin Hurt to ensure all ten GB&I players contributed at least a point. Amor then halved the 18th with Lenahan for the record breaking GB&I points haul, eclipsing the 16 they amassed in their last win in 2017.